Low mileage bike, but was outside for 2 years....

[mismith356]

Hey Fellas,

sorry for silly questions here, but just don't know what to think about a bike I am considering buying.

Bike is an 05 with < 1000 miles.  visually, from pics, it looks very clean however when questioning the seller, I asked about it being an 05 with such low miles and asked how it was stored.  turns out it was left outside for almost 2 years from the sounds of it.  I know the current owner spent some time cleaning it up and running some seafoam through it.

the price is fair for the low mileage but it concerns me sitting outside for so long...tires might have flat spots, electric connections (if not greased) could be corroded, chain might have kinked / rusted links....not sure what other issue might have occurred.

should I be concerned the bike was outside so long or does it matter??

Would you all buy a low mileage bike having been left outside?

Thanks

[Ry_Guy]

...tires might have flat spots, electric connections (if not greased) could be corroded, chain might have kinked / rusted links....

That's exactly it. I bought  a 96 GS that sat in a garage for 2 years. The choke cable was so corroded that it didn't even work at all. The battery worked well - I thought I had lucked out. But it died just after I got home with it.

[Kerry]

If it were me, I'd ask him to take a good amount off the selling price for things that might need to replaced, and the time it will take you to check & clean everything.  (Hopefully the estimate will turn out to be high, but you never know.)

Does the bike run?  Just wondering if you are able to take it for a spin, to check for stuff like "lumpy" tires.

Bottom line ... if he can't demonstrate that the bike is in good running order, the low miles will only serve to lower the price, not to keep it closer to retail.

Still, if you have the time and the inclination to "get to know" the bike I wouldn't hesitate to buy it, if the price is right.

[mismith356]

thanks guys.

the seller has been riding the bike...he's the 2nd or 3rd owner.  Bike runs "great" according to seller.  He mentioned the forums here too...which i thought was pretty cool.  the seller has put many, many more miles on the bike than he bought it with...so it at least runs that good. 

I don't think he checked the valves, or flushed new fluid into the front and rear brakes, which on most bikes says to replace every 2 years.  I would also be curious if the battery was replaced.  Oil was said to be changed, but I didn't ask about the filter.

I am a little concerned with seafoam use....if you use too much, can't it ruin the various o-rings in the carbs?

Anything else you would recommend I check when looking at the bike?

I have been reading this used bike buyers guide:

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

But not sure what else I might want to look for in a used, stored outside, GS500.

[Kerry]

Ahhh ... so it was stored outside by a previous owner, and the current owner has been riding it after cleaning it up, etc?  Sorry - I missed that the first time around.  In that case, I wouldn't be too worried if the test ride goes well.

Plan on changing the brake fluid, lubing cables, cleaning the chain, etc, but otherwise....

[scottpA_GS]

+1 to Kerrys thoughts...

My bike sat in a garage for 10 years.. yep 10 years! I did some normal maintenance like a carb cleaning and cleaned and lined the tank and that was it  I have been riding it for 3 years now without issue... Though before spring I plan on changing the 13 year old brake fluid  

[sledge]

Dont look too keen, bargain him down a couple of hundred and tell him you are doing him a favour taking it off his hands, yeah it might have some issues but thats the chance you have to take and if it does its nothing that cant be put right if you can read and understand the service manuals and have the time and motivation to do the work. Worn chains and sprockets, stiff- cables, worn tyres, wheel bearings and brake pads are all easily sorted out and are excuses to knock more money off the price.
At that age and mileage its unlikely to have any serious engine problems........just make sure its not making any nasty noises when running, thats its not leaking oil or petrol, that it starts ok from cold on both cylinders without clouds of blue smoke and that it ticks over and revs smoothly without hesitating when its warmed up.

[frankieG]

did i miss the price? how much is he asking? 2nd or 3rd owner on a bike with less than 1k miles? sounds a bit odd to me

[mismith356]

Good points guys.

I am not looking to rape anyone...but I do want to keep from getting raped myself.  The time outdoors and the fact that it's had 3 owners in it's short life are concerns.  I want to be sure I am looking for anything that might be a concern or require replacement shortly after the purchase.  Tires are a big deal for me and could be close to $300 for both if replacement is needed.  The chain and sprockets are also an issue and again, figure $225 for a DID or equivalent quality chain and new sprockets.

The battery I would think should be new, after setting that long...that's another $50-75 if needed.

Wondering how the seat cover, grips, and other softer rubber / vinyl parts might fair after 2 years exposure to the sun?

[frankieG]

what is the asking price? do you have any pictures?

[mismith356]

in the neighborhood of $3k

[Kerry]

Tires are a big deal for me and could be close to $300 for both if replacement is needed.

$300?  Yeah, I guess ... if you go with nicer tires than are on the bike, or have to pay a lot for mounting.  From a quick check on [MAW]:

     $ 71.95 BT45F 110/80-17 BT-45H FRONT
     $ 78.95 BT45F 120/70-17 BT-45H FRONT

     $ 77.95 BT45R 130/80-17 BT-45H REAR
     $ 80.95 BT45R 140/70-17 BT-45H REAR
     =======================================
     Max of $159.90 + shipping + mounting

The chain and sprockets are also an issue and again, figure $225 for a DID or equivalent quality chain and new sprockets.

Chaparral has a [DID 520V O-ring chain] for $57.20 and a [DID 520 VM Gold X-ring chain] for $86.90.  I would NOT expect either the chain or the sprocket(s) to be in need of replacement unless all 1,000 miles on the bike were from stunting.

The battery I would think should be new, after setting that long...that's another $50-75 if needed.

It could need replacing, but if it's running great for the current owner you might be able to put that one off for a while....

Wondering how the seat cover, grips, and other softer rubber / vinyl parts might fair after 2 years exposure to the sun?

Come to think of it, MY bike has been sitting outside for a couple of years now, and I'd be surprised if I've put 1,000 miles on it in that time.    I recently noticed that my seat is indeed starting to develop cracks, but it's 8 years old now.  The clear coat on the tank has started to loosen over the lettering as well.  But I don't recall anything wrong with the grips or rubber parts.

[mismith356]

Hey Kerry. 

Used the figures for tires from my current ZRX...just put them on... I agree that the rear tire might be less on the GS.

Pilot Raod 120/70 17 = 122.00 plus 30 to mount
Pilot Raod 180/55 17 = 146.00 plug 36 to mount

sprockets....

I bought a 44 tooth vortex aluminum  = $50
DID GOLD ZVM2 = $120
front sprocket $25

I do my own labor unless it's tires or just something I can't do or don't have the tools to do.

I would only replace the chain if it was rusted or kinked and I am told the sprockets always get replaced at the same time...but yeah, with 1000 miles, it should be bad....except it was out doors for 2 years.  If it was well lubed, should not be a problem.

[ohgood]

$3000 is too much.

You're going to spend some money it sounds like on these at least:

$200 - 300 Tires
$50 Brake pads/ fluid
$5 Fuel lines ?
$100 - 250 (preference) Chain + front cog (the rear is likely fine) ?
$150-250 valve adjustment
$20 immediate oil change + filter
$50 - 250 fork seals ?
$50-150 cables ?

All the ones with "?" are things I'd wonder about, those without I'd definitely do.

Depending on who does the work it can cost a pretty penny, or be cheap as me

"Better to wear out than to rust out" - the worn things can be replaced, but rust is evil.

If I happened across a bike with <5000 miles on it similar to what you're describing I'd offer $1500 if it ran and the choke worked proper from cold. He could get pissed, or he could counter. You're going to spend some money before you're happy with it, might was well spend less on the front end.

[scottpA_GS]

I think its a bit off for everyone to be saying... Bargain him down a few hundred or thats too much $$$

NONE OF US HAVE SEEN THE BIKE!

3K for an 05 isn't a bad price. I would say.. pending inspection of all the above suggestions for replacement. Thats not a bad deal  I am sure you could buy that or another 05 for less but it depends on whats available in your area 

No one here knows all the facts either... Was it outside but under a cover? Was it preped for storage? also, someone has been riding it recently and it still has low mileage I cant see it being that bad. 

[Kerry]

I think its a bit off for everyone to be saying... Bargain him down a few hundred or thats too much $$$

NONE OF US HAVE SEEN THE BIKE!

3K for an 05 isn't a bad price. I would say.. pending inspection of all the above suggestions for replacement. Thats not a bad deal 

Ditto.  I backed off when I realized that the bike was currently being ridden.  What else don't we know?

The final decision will rest with the buyer ... all we can do is offer info about stuff to look for, price / hassle of items that may need to be replaced or done, etc.

[mismith356]

Thanks fellas, I do appreciate the feedback.

I have pics and the bike looks quite nice...as far as a picture goes.  The seller may or may not be an active members here, but in a 5 minute conversation he mentioned this site.  I am not trying to trash somebodies bike or pick it to pieces, but just don't know what I should be looking for given the situation with this bike.  I can't afford to pay around 3k and then spend a bunch of money to further fix it up.

If the bike is in good condition, tires are fine and it runs good, I think for this area, near 3k would be appropriate. 

[pandy]

I think its a bit off for everyone to be saying... Bargain him down a few hundred or thats too much $$$

I think it has more to do with all of us bein' cheap bastages rather than any malice... 

Do you have a moto friend that can go with you and look the bike over with you? 

[scottpA_GS]

Do you have a moto friend that can go with you and look the bike over with you? 

Great idea 

If you cant take a knowledgeable friend, gather as much info from here and go with your gut  I would love to post my thoughts on what to look for or maybee even a link to a good post on what to look forbut...

I love beer tooom uch... and im drunk again 

Someone else will do it